By Zaria Mwai

On November 19, the School of Communication, Cinematic and Creative Arts held a tribute to Joe Kadhi, honoring two pillars of storytelling: the late Joe Kadhi, a veteran journalist and teacher, and Isaiah Cherutich, whose retirement from teaching journalism marks a shift in a defining era in the institution’s media culture. Kadhi, often called the godfather of print media in Kenya, was remembered not just with titles, but with ideas of democracy, ethics, and the courage to publish even when it stings.

The opening remarks framed journalism as a public duty rather than a profession. This tone shaped the first panel, where comedian and media creator Justin Wanda urged students to resist algorithm anxiety and choose conviction over performance. “Your audience finds you, not the other way around,” she said.

Isaiah later spoke on media ethics, reminding attendees that no conversation on media law in Kenya can omit Joe Kadhi. He recalled expecting Kadhi to take up a leadership role years ago, only for him to decline, stating that it was time for younger voices to carry the light. Isaiah was honored through a video tribute capturing his years shaping ethical, curious, and ambitious storytellers, which he accepted, not as an ending, but as proof that the light he passed on had already begun to shine in others.

The second panel examined how delivery, credibility, and presence now shape journalism more than platform or exclusivity. Panelists tied Kadhi’s print wisdom to digital storytelling, showing that platforms change, but purpose does not.

The event culminated with an awards ceremony that reminded everyone that legacy lives forward, not backward. Honors were presented for Male Journalist of the Year, Female Journalist of the Year, and the Most Outstanding Media Personality 2025.

Kadhi’s family officially handed over his personal library to Prof. Geoffrey Serede Sikolia, the Dean of the School of Communication, Cinematic and Creative Arts, marking the physical transfer of a lifelong commitment to inquiry and truth. The session ended with a call to action: to publish truthfully and remain prepared for the world’s response.